Driving in Singapore

Driving in Singapore is nice as there are clear and well-marked directional road signs, an efficient road network, smooth and clean roads.Foreign drivers visiting Singapore can drive there with their domestic driving permits and International driver licenses for up to six months. For hiring a car, drivers without Singapore driving permits must have International driver licenses.As a rule, road signs in Singapore are in English, but many road names are in Malay origin.

The main road traffic rules in Singapore:

Vehicles drive on the left side of the road.

Minimum driving age is 18 years.

Seat belts are mandatory for drivers and all passengers in front and rear seats.

The right and left turns are prohibited during a red light. If “Left Turn on Red” sign is present at the intersection, it permits drivers to turn left, but they must give way to pedestrians and incoming traffic.

Children under eight years must be ridden in a child safety seat; otherwise, a driver and passenger will be fined.

Seat belts must be worn in taxis.

Headlights must be turned on from 19:00 to 07:00.

While driving, using cell phones is prohibited.

Third Party insurance is mandatory.

The speed limit varies from 40 km/h in urban areas to 80-90 km/h on expressways.

The legal blood-alcohol level is 0.08%.

From Monday to Saturday, left lanes with unbroken yellow and red lines may only be used by buses from 07:30 (7:30 a.m.) to 20:00 (8 p.m.). From Monday to Friday, left lanes with unbroken yellow lines may only be used by buses from 07:70 (7:30 a.m.) to 09:30 (9:30 a.m.) and from 16:30 (4:30 p.m.) to 19:00 (7 p.m.).

On uncontrolled junctions, traffic from the right has right of way.

Traffic on the roundabout has right of way.

Some additional advices:

In Singapore, speed detection cameras are installed on expressways and major roads.

Full-Day Bus Lanes are left lanes with unbroken yellow and red lines; Normal Bus Lanes are left lanes with unbroken yellow lines.

In Singapore, there are three modes of parking: Coupon parking, Paid parking, and Season parking. Parking coupons can be bought from any of the following authorized sale outlets. Paid parking is in the most shopping centers, buildings and some public car parks; it is required to pay for the time a vehicle is parked. There are different car park payment systems adopted. Season parking is usually applicable to residents and tenants at their offices and residential car parks. Avoid parking in season parking lots (they usually have red markings) and along roads with double yellow lines. The cost of parking is variable.

No parking at all times on the side of the road with parallel continuous yellow lines.

Do not drive over areas with Chevron markings.

The right lane is the fast lane; drivers should always overtake on the right-hand side.

In Singapore, there are 8 categories of offenses that carry demerit points.

The main offenses in Singapore are:

Disobeying traffic direction of Police Officer

Parking within “No Parking Zone” or a pedestrian crossing and abreast of another vehicle.

Stopping within “No Stopping Zone”, at a zebra-crossing, on shoulder or on the carriageway of an expressway.

Driving without a seat belt or riding passengers without seat belts.

Riding child under eight years in front or rear seat without an unapproved child restraint.

Exceeding speed limit.

Driving in a bus lane during prohibited hours

Failing to give way at the roundabout or intersection, to an ambulance or fire brigade or a police vehicle, to pedestrian at pedestrian crossing.

Crossing double white lines or a road divider.

Hindering flow of traffic.

Moving on the red light signal.

Driving against the flow of traffic or on a shoulder of an expressway.